The UK needs to design a parenting leave system that supports parental choice, while encouraging greater sharing of domestic and childcare responsibilities. This will meet the aspirations and needs of women as well as men; and of children as well as parents.

Ensuring that parenting leave can be, and is, shared between fathers and mothers will achieve a step change in gender expectations, improve equality in the workplace and at home, support fair and durable relationships, benefit the economy, and improve outcomes for children.

The Fatherhood Institute’s briefing on paternity, maternity and parental leave, Supporting Families and Relationships through Parental Leave, sets out a plan for how to achieve this holy grail.

Why we need fairer policies for mums and dads: Guardian video

FI on Twitter

Schools – boost your results by becoming a FRED provider
‘When I see my children at the weekend they say, “We don’t want to go to McDonald’s – can we read stories instead?”.’
You probably already know how important dads can be to their children’s learning – and if you don’t, you can find out here.